The rest of the week was a bit hit and miss with the girls still adjusting to living in the new apartment, getting accustomed to Mona, and going to school half-days. Kurt settled into his first teaching position and enjoyed working at Vogue again, but Sebastian was still struggling a bit with the changes. He had never lived in New York before and he a lot to learn quickly.
Friday evening arrived more quickly than they had anticipated.
Kurt was pacing around their room. Sebastian closed the door to keep the girls from seeing him so agitated. He stepped in front of Kurt and put his hands on his upper arms.
"If you don't want to go, we can stay home. There is no point in you being this upset about something that isn't mandatory. We aren't in high school. Just because everyone that was in Glee Club with you for the three years you were in it is here in New York – that doesn't mean that we have to go."
"I already said I'd go."
"Things happen. You are not contractually obligated to show up." He kissed Kurt. "I love you. It's hurting me to see you so upset."
Kurt took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I was fine. Totally fine. And then suddenly, I felt like the kid that got tossed into the dumpster every day again."
Rose knocked on their bedroom door. "Someone's knocking."
"I'll go get it." Sebastian kissed Kurt. "Breathe." He kissed Kurt again. "I love you."
Kurt nodded. "I love you too." Kurt forced himself to focus. He went through the breathing exercises that he thought he'd never need again. He walked over to their mirror and looked at himself. He looked good in the black skinny jeans, black belt, crimson linen button up, and black boots he was wearing. He had his sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows with the shirt tucked allowing all four of his tattoos to show. He turned away from the mirror and went out into the living room.
"Hey! There you are," Trina said. "Nice shirt."
"Thanks." He saw Rose and Aliza both smiling at him.
Rose said, "I like your– What's the special name for that color?"
"Crimson."
"I like your crimson shirt, Daddy."
"Thank you, sweetie."
The girls were dressed in their Tinker Bell outfits again because the newness hadn't worn off yet. They had gotten some water-friendly strappy sandals that protected their toes for the playground at school when they had gone out shopping for school clothes.
"Look, Aunt Trina. Daddy's boss gave us backpacks." Rose turned in a circle. "And we picked out sandals to match." She stuck one of her feet out to show off her new bright pink sandals.
"I love them," Trina said enthusiastically. "I think I might need to get a pair of sandals like that. Did they come in my size?"
Aliza nodded. "I saw giant ones at the store. Purple, like mine. And black and red too."
Trina laughed. "Well, then maybe tomorrow I can get a giant pair of red ones to fit my giant feet." She stuck her foot out like Rose had.
Both girls laughed at her.
"I need to grab my wallet," Sebastian said. "I had gone in to get it when Rose said you were knocking. He came back out a minute later with his short-sleeved green and gray patterned rayon dress shirt tucked into gray straight-fit jeans. He had on black boots and a black belt as well. "Ready."
Kurt noticed that Sam and Trina were dressed similarly and felt a little better. He focused and did his best to relax.
When they walked up to the building, Rose said, "This is where you teach."
"You're right, sweetie." Sebastian said. "Daddy teaches here. The reunion is one of the big rooms here."
"Will there be anybody to play with?" Rose asked.
"I don't think so," Kurt said. "But I could be wrong."
"I have my backpack with my Kindle," she said. "Aliza can play tic tac toe with me. Or we can both play the new game Mona got for us this afternoon about measuring stuff. It's fun. If you pour yellow juice in the blue juice, you get green juice."
Sebastian smiled, realizing that it was about more than just measuring. "That's sounds fun."
"It is. It's cool."
Kurt led the way to the room. He stepped back and let Sam and Trina go in first. He ushered the girls in behind them and took Sebastian's hand and stepped in together.
"Aw, he–" Mercedes stopped mid-word once she saw the girls. She quickly approached Kurt and pulled him to the side. She turned her back to the others and spoke quietly. "We haven't heard from you in four years and–" She looked down. "You have tattoos."
"Yes. I do. I have had for about four years."
She looked at his arms again. "Resilient. What does the other one say?"
"It's in French. It says 'Look for the joy in each day.'"
She lifted his hands so that she could read what the ones on his wrists said. "Those are really cool."
"Thanks. Before you stick your foot in your mouth, Sebastian and I are married and those two beautiful girls are our daughters."
"Wait, what?"
"I know you heard me. If we're not welcome, just say so and we'll be on our way." He started to step past her.
"Wait, no. I don't want you to leave. I just don't understand. You just vanished four years ago."
"I've been living in Columbus, attending OSU. That's hardly vanishing."
"You came with Sam and?"
"Trina. His wife. Yes. They live in Columbus and went to OSU as well."
Mr. Schue came over, carrying a toddler. "It's good to see you, Kurt. No one knew how to get in touch with you. I'm surprised to see you."
"Well, obviously, someone managed to get in touch with me. Who's this cutie?"
"This is our son, Daniel. Emma has Ginny. They're three and a half, born on Rachel's opening night as Fanny in October."
Kurt looked towards the door where Sebastian and the girls were standing. "Rose and Aliza were hoping for someone to play with." He motioned for them to come to him. "This is Daniel. Would you like to play with him?"
Rose nodded and smiled.
"He has a sister." He pointed towards Ms. Pillsbury-Schuester. "You can go see if she wants to play with you too. Her name is Ginny."
"Okay, Daddy," Rose said.
Mr. Schuester put Daniel down and let him follow Rose and Aliza over to the side of the room where Emma was standing. They sat down at one of the tables together. Rose and Aliza took out their Kindles.
Kurt watched Rose show Daniel and Ginny how to play something. He smiled. He turned back to Mr. Schue. "I heard that Sue dispersed the Glee Club members after the club placed second at Nationals."
"She did. I still don't know how. I took the open position at Carmel to coach Vocal Adrenaline. We moved to Akron. Unique moved back in with her parents and rejoined Vocal Adrenaline for her senior year. We won Nationals that year and she won MVP again. I teach History during the day. Emma took two years off to stay home with Daniel and Ginny. She got a position at another high school in Akron last fall. Sue hired a music teacher to take my place. McKinley has an orchestra, a band, a jazz band, a marching band, and a 30+ member choir now. All official classes during the school day. No Glee Club though."
Kurt was shocked. "Too bad about Glee Club, but that's surprisingly good news. I thought Sue was opposed to the arts."
"She told me that she was opposed to my mediocrity and bad hair. And that if the school was going to have an arts program that it needed to be top notch, not a merry band of misfits who basically directed themselves and made it so far in competition because they were unnaturally talented."
Kurt had to choke back laughing. Sue wasn't wrong. He nodded politely. "Sounds like something Sue would say." He walked towards Sebastian. "You remember Sebastian."
"Of course." He shook hands with Sebastian, and then Sam. "It's good to see you, Sam."
Sam nodded. "This is my wife, Trina."
She offered her hand and said, "It's nice to meet you."
"You too."
Kurt saw Rachel standing across the room staring at the girls. "If you'll excuse me." He walked away and crossed the room. He stood with his back to everyone else, blocking her view of the girls. "Stop staring at them. At least look surprised instead of – whatever it is that you're doing right now."
"Right." She changed her expression immediately. "I didn't know if you'd come. I couldn't bring myself to meet you Monday."
"I left at 4:15 like I said I would."
She nodded. "I don't know what I expected to feel, but whatever it was, I don't feel it."
"Did you think you'd see her and suddenly feel maternal?"
"I don't know. They say there's this bond."
"You create the bond. It's isn't just magically there."
She nodded. "No one has seen or heard from you in four years. The rest of us have kept in contact, at least on social media. None of us knew that you were with Sebastian."
He held his left hand so that she could see his wedding ring. "Married to Sebastian. The girls are ours. We're their parents. Both of our names are on both of their birth certificates."
"Right. And the girl with Sam?"
"His wife, Trina."
"I think Mercedes was hoping that he was single still."
"Oh, well, it's too late for that."
"Too late for what?" Jesse St. James asked as he walked up and wrapped his arms around Rachel from behind. "Kurt."
"Jesse."
"Those adorable little girls are yours?"
"Mine and Sebastian's."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks. So you two?" He refrained from giving her an ice glare. "You give me crap about Sebastian, and you're with Jesse?"
Jesse smirked. "Now, now, Rachel. You know that the villains make the best lovers." He kissed her on the cheek and sauntered off.
She sighed. "He has a point. It's been five years since that nonsense. Seven since the stuff with Jesse." She saw Puck come in. "You better get over to Sebastian before Puck starts something. He's just standing in the doorway looking at Sebastian."
"Right" He turned and walked back towards the door.
Sam was blocking Puck from really being able to insert himself into the conversation without even realizing it.
"Puck," Kurt said as he got closer.
Lauren came into the room and Puck moved away from the door frame and followed her in.
"And Lauren. It's good to see you, Lauren."
"You too, Hummel. Love the tattoos and the casual, hot look you've got going on there. You've been missing for the last four years."
"I've been living in Columbus. Got my Master's in education from OSU."
"Nice. I got a scholarship to the University of Cincinatti. Graduated a couple of weeks ago. IT Network Security. Got a job here in the Big Apple. I start in two weeks. We're here looking for a place. Hadn't really considered coming to this shindig until we were already going to be here. I figured a free dinner is a free dinner."
Kurt chuckled. "Very true."
Puck turned his eyes towards Sebastian. "Who's he here with?"
"Me. We're married." He pointed to the table where the girls were sitting. "The two older girls are ours. The two younger two are Mr. Schue's."
Lauren elbowed him gently. "Well, damn, Hummel. A hot husband and two kids."
"I know." He turned to look at Sebastian, who winked at him. "I'm going to go back over with him. Obviously, he's not sure how anyone here will react to him being here. It was nice seeing the two of you." He moved over to where Sebastian was standing and took his hand. "I think we're fine. Rachel's dating Jesse. He was far more villainous than you ever were."
Sebastian put his hand over his heart dramatically. "My honor."
Sam laughed at him.
Kurt added, "Then again, he was older and he had the help of an adult."
"That's better," Sebastian said.
"Come on." Kurt squeezed his hand. "Let's move away from the door."
The four of them went to sit at the same table where the girls were sitting. They walked past a white board that Rachel had covered with fabric and hung brief updated bios from everyone. Kurt knew that if there was a card for him, it would be blank. He found it and took it down. He looked at the others to see the level of detail that Rachel had included and sat down with the card. All it had was his name and the year he graduated on it. Underneath, he wrote:
Kurt Hummel-Smythe – Class of 2012
New York City
Married to Sebastian Hummel-Smythe
Two daughters, age 4 – Aliza and Rose Hummel-Smythe
. Music and French – Ohio State University
Adjunct Professor – NYADA
PA to Isabelle Wright – Vogue
When he finished, he put his card back up and looked through the others.
Brittany came up to the board while he was looking. "Kurt?"
"Britt." He turned and hugged her.
"I thought you had disappeared."
"Well, here I am."
"I'm glad." She let him go and turned to Mike. "Kurt's here."
"Hey, Kurt. Long time, no see."
Brittany was reading over Kurt's shoulder. "You have two daughters?"
"I do." He pointed to the table where they were sitting.
"They're really cute."
"Thanks."
"They look like you and Sebastian."
He nodded and moved down a bit and saw Brittany's card. "You and Mike?"
"Yeah. I hated it at MIT. I left after the first semester and joined Mercedes on her tour at the end of May. Mike and I spent a lot of time together and we spent a lot of time talking and we just became really good friends. I asked him out on New Year's Eve and we've been dating ever since. We got tired of touring after a year. We're both dancers in shows here now."
"I'm happy for you."
"Me too. Can I meet your daughters?"
"Sure. Just come over to the table whenever you want."
He continued to look through the cards.
Artie and Julie, who he met in film school his freshman year. Still living in Brooklyn. Working on an indie film.
Tina and Benji, a drama student she met at NYU after she transferred her sophomore year. Living in New York, both just graduated.
Santana was working as a Rockette, studying PR at one of the CCNY branches, and single.
Quinn was studying psychology in a Master's program at Columbia, single.
Unique had gotten the lead in the revival of Once on This on this Island, set to open in November, after getting a 2-year degree at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. He decided that he'd get her contact information from Rachel if she didn't make it.
Puck had gotten a 2-year HVAC degree.
He realized after looking through all of them that everyone was living or going to school in New York. Most of them were single, which made sense given that he was the oldest of the group, having just turned 24 four days prior.
Sugar's card caught his eye. She had spent her junior year in Ireland. She and Rory were both attending college in New York City. He was at one of the CCNY branches and she was attending Parsons.
He went and sat back down next to Sebastian, who put his arm around the back of Kurt's chair. He looked up towards the door as a large group came in together – mostly the members that he had never attended school with, except for Sugar and Rory.
Rose looked up and looked where Kurt was looking. She climbed down out of her chair and ran and threw herself at Marley.
"Marley!"
"Rose!" Marley responded equally excitedly as she leaned down to pick her up.
Rose pointed to Aliza.
"I see. Aliza's here too." She carried Rose back to the table. "Hey, Kurt. Hey, Sebastian"
"Hey, Marley." Kurt said. "I see Rose found you."
"She did." Marley put her down in the empty chair and picked Aliza up instead and hugged her before she put her back down as well. "Trina." She turned her gaze on Sam. "Sam. Is there anything you'd like to tell me?"
Trina answered. "France was nice?" she teased.
Roderick caught up to her. He winked at Rose and Aliza.
They giggled and waved.
"I want to play motorcycle, Roderick. Please?" Rose asked.
"In a little bit. I think we're supposed to sit down and be quiet right now." He looked towards the stage where Rachel was standing.
"Okay."
Roderick and Marley sat at the table next to theirs.
Rachel stepped up to the mic. "I'm so glad that we have so many people here. It's been nearly eight years since Mr. Schuester took over the Glee Club at McKinley. For four years, the club made a difference in our lives. I wanted to give everyone a chance to come up and tell us what being in the Glee Club meant to you while the catering company is setting up the food. If you can't think of something that quickly, we're going to have open mic and dancing after we eat. You can speak then as well."
Rose leaned over to Kurt. "I want to sing a song, Daddy. I want to sing the song from Little Mermaid."
He looked around and saw that no one was making a move to get up and talk about what Glee Club meant to them. "Sure, sweetie. Follow me." He tapped Sam on the shoulder and ask him to come with them. Kurt took Rose by the hand and led her towards the stage. "Rachel?"
"Yes?"
"Rose would like to sing for everyone."
She looked around and didn't see anyone else up from their seat. "Sure."
Sam picked up a guitar and Kurt lowered the mic as much as he could. He sat down at the keyboard and pushed the mic forward. Rose looked at him and he nodded. She said the spoken part clearly, he played the intro, and then began to sing.
Maybe he's right.
Maybe there's something the matter with me.
I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad.
Look at this stuff.
Isn't it neat?
Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?
Wouldn't you think I'm the girl,
The girl that has everything?
I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty.
I've got whozits and whatsits galore.
You want thingamabobs?
I've got twenty.
But who cares?
No big deal.
I want more.
Out of the sea,
Wish I could be,
Part of that world.
She sang the entire song, which stunned everyone except for Sebastian,Trina, Marley, and Roderick, who all started to clap and everyone else followed suit.
Aliza put her hand on Sebastian's arm to get his attention. "Papa, I want to sing too."
Sebastian walked Aliza up to the stage. Rose went back to the table with Sebastian. Aliza whispered in Sam's ear and he nodded. He began strumming. She moved to the mic. Kurt just sat the keyboard.
When the cold wind is a-calling,
And the sky is clear and bright,
Misty mountains sing and beckon.
Lead me out into the light.
I will ride, I will fly,
Chase the wind, and touch the sky.
I will fly,
Chase the wind, and touch the sky.
Where dark woods hide secret,
And mountains are fierce and bold.
Deep waters hold reflections,
Of times lost long ago.
I will ride, I will fly,
Chase the wind, and touch the sky.
I will fly,
Chase the wind, and touch the sky.
And touch the sky.
Chase the wind.
Chase the wind.
Touch the sky.
Everyone clapped for her just as enthusiastically. She curtsied and took Kurt's hand and led him off the stage. Sam put the guitar back on the stand and followed them back to the table.
Rachel stepped up to the mic at the front of the stage again. "Well, those of you who are brave enough to follow that can start after we eat."
"I thought of one more song, Daddy," Rose said after they sat down. "Let's sing the one we sing when we miss someone."
This time Sebastian got up and went up with them.
Kurt approached Rachel again. "Since the food isn't here yet, the girls want to sing one more song."
"Sure."
Kurt sat down at the keyboard and Sebastian sat next to him. Kurt pulled the mic back towards them a bit. The girls stood next to each other in front of the mic in the center of the stage, holding hands. Kurt spoke into the mic. "We sing this song when we miss people we're far away from. Half of our family lives here in the States and the other half lives in Paris, so we miss people frequently."
(Kurt and Sebastian)
Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight,
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight.
(Aliza and Rose)
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer,
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there.
(Kurt and Sebastian)
And even though I know how very far apart we are,
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star.
(Aliza and Rose)
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby,
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky.
(Everyone)
Somewhere out there, if love can see us through,
Then we'll be together somewhere out there,
Out where dreams come true.
Rose and Aliza curtsied, still holding hands. Everyone clapped for them, which caused both of them to smile really big. Kurt saw several people taking their pictures with their phones.
Mercedes was the first one to get up and approach their table. She stood back a bit and looked directly at Kurt to get his attention. He got up and moved away from the table and led her out into the hallway.
She closed the door behind them. "First off, that was the cutest damn thing I've ever seen. They're adorable. And Sebastian has obviously changed because no jackass could be that sweet with two little kids. You love him."
"I do. We've been married a long time Mercedes."
"And Sam knew."
"Yes. I didn't tell him immediately, but I did tell him after he left New York."
"It seems like Marley knew too. I saw–"
"Rose."
"I saw Rose run up and hug her."
"Roderick is a friend of Trina's. He was a year behind her in school. When Sue dispersed the Glee members, she fired Marley's mom. They moved to Columbus and Marley ended up at the same school with Roderick. Marley didn't keep in contact with anyone besides Unique. I steered clear of her for quite a while after we were friends with Trina. When Marley started at OSU the next fall, it was harder to avoid her because she was always hanging around with Trina, Sam, and Roderick. I asked her not to say anything and she kept quiet."
"Why did you keep it a secret? Were you ashamed? Embarrassed?"
"More like protecting what I valued and loved, which was my family. Within an hour of running into Sebastian, it was blatantly obvious that he had stopped being an obnoxious teenager. I'm not going to rehash why I stepped away from the group. I'm happy. I have a lot of friends now who don't judge me and who like me for who I am. I came hoping that by now, five years after graduation, that people had grown up. We've all gone our separate ways. Some people have kept in contact. Others haven't. I bet you had absolutely no idea what Sugar had been up to in the four years since we last saw her. And you spent several months with her in the Troubletones."
"You're right. I just thought we'd always be friends."
"I don't want to start an argument, but honestly that's more on you than it is on me. We were very close. You were my first friend in high school. I did consider you to be my best friend, but you really hurt me with how you treated me when you found out that I was agnostic. You wanted to convince me that God loved me after everything his followers had done to me. I'm older now and in a better place to see your side. I realize now that it meant a lot to you to believe that someone bigger than you had things under control and that he cared about your personal problems."
She nodded.
"Do you think I never prayed? Do you think I wanted to be gay when everyone said and did the things they did? It didn't work Mercedes. I didn't know the right words to say, the magic formula, or whatever. Even when I just prayed that God would make them stop hurting me, nothing changed. People pray for sick people. Some get well, some don't. Some sick people have no one pray for them. Some get well, some don't. If you say you pray, and if God answers your prayers, then what was I doing wrong when I prayed and got no answers. Or did I get 'no' for an answer when I was eight and begged God for my mom not to die?" Tears streamed down his cheeks. "Since I was already gay then, did God refuse to answer my prayers because I was already an irredeemable sinner when I didn't even know what sex was?"
"Oh, Kurt." She wrapped her arms around him. "I never thought of any of that back then. Like you said, I was young and immature. I never meant to hurt you. Going to church always gave me this sense of community that you didn't have. I just wanted you to not feel so alone. I can see now how what I did was so hurtful. I'm so sorry, Kurt." She squeezed him again and let go. "Back then, it felt like you were rejecting something that gave me so much support. The church I went to never bashed gays. I never considered how other people who called themselves Christians had treated you. I never considered that you might have prayed for God to save your mom or make you straight."
He nodded. "I'm not holding it against you. It was just this wall you put up between us that just stayed there. It was Rachel that came to me after I sang by myself for the duets competition. You didn't keep in contact with me when I went to Dalton. The next fall, we were both shafted with West Side Story, but you left and got to shine with the Troubletones, while I got a three featured lines in "ABC", which was half as many as Mike. I wasn't featured the rest of the year, except the one line with Blaine at Nationals. I was in one song at Nationals our senior year."
"I was thinking about myself. I know. I got what I wanted and you didn't."
"I have what I want now. Can you accept that? Can you accept that I love Sebastian and our girls more than I thought I could ever love anyone? Our hearts healed together."
"My parents are that way. They really, really love each other. I think that's part of why I'm still looking. I know what real love looks like and I'm not willing to settle for less than what I know exists."
"I've found that with Sebastian."
"I'm happy for you then. Really. My dad, my uncles, and my grandpas have told some stories about the stupid stuff they did as a teenagers. I oftentimes wonder how the adult population is still half men and half women."
Kurt chuckled.
"I think I could have had that with Sam. But I put my career first. It was a choice. He wanted a simple life and someone to put his love, time, and energy into. He didn't want to tour." She paused. "Is he happy?"
"Very. Trina is super sweet, but is sassy and fun in equal measure. She loves our girls and they love her."
She bit her lower lip and let out a sigh. "It's hard to see him with someone else. But I set him free. I had no reason to think that he would stay single."
Sebastian opened the door and looked across the hall where they were standing. "The food's out and the girls want you to eat with us."
Kurt nodded. He offered Mercedes a hug. "We're going to be here in New York for a year. I'll give you my number."
"My phone's inside in my bag."
"Okay, then." He handed her his phone. "Put your number in and send yourself a text." He waited, and then put it back in his pocket. "Alright. Let's go eat." He crossed the hall and opened the door for her.
"I want at least once dance."
He smiled and closed the door behind them.
He barely had time to eat anything before Rachel pulled him away again. He followed her out to the hallway and into a classroom across the hall. She closed the door behind them.
She was doing everything she could to hold herself together. "This is entirely on me, but since I'm the host, I have to keep it together."
"What is actually bothering you, Rachel?"
She moved closer to him, pulled him down a bit, and spoke directly into his ear in the quietest voice. "I can't tell which one she is." She stepped back, but not much.
Kurt spoke below a whisper. "I don't understand how that would change anything."
"It doesn't. It's just that elusive feeling that I can't pinpoint that says I should be able to tell."
"That's nonsense, Rachel. Absolute nonsense. You didn't want to see then. There's nothing for you to see now." He sighed. "Do you want us to leave?"
"Would you?"
Her face was tear streaked and she looked so panicked that he agreed.
"We will stay until dinner ends. We will dance to a few songs, and then I'll make our excuses. You need to touch up your makeup. And as harsh as it sounds, you need to put this out of your mind. Obviously Jesse doesn't know. If you want it to stay that way, you need to get it together."
"I know. I thought I had come to terms with everything. I'll go back to therapy. I had actually signed up for the Working with Child Actors course next session, but I'll drop the class and add something else. Not that I don't think you'll do a good job, but we just can't be in a teacher/student situation. We have too much history."
"I agree. Plus, the girls are going to be part of the group of child actors to work with. You saw them tonight."
"They were both fantastic."
"They've been in dance for the last year. They can both read music. We started with Suzuki violin lessons. They were in Kindermusik before they were one. Aliza can play the drums too. She picked it up from Marley and Trina's friends that have a garage band. Rose can play songs by ear on a keyboard. Just the melody right now, but our new nanny is a music major at Juilliard. She speaks fluent French as well."
Rachel nodded. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Just being you. I'm sorry I was a terrible friend. And now, I can't change that because I can't keep myself under control around them."
"Keep working on yourself. You have Jesse. And NYADA, I guess."
"I'll graduate in December. You don't know, do you?"
"Obviously not."
"I quit Funny Girl at the end of my 6-month contract. Santana took over the lead for six months. She wanted to go to school, so when her six months were up, she auditioned for the Rockettes and got in. I was offered a TV show based on my life in New York. The first script was horrible. There was a rewrite, which was good. We filmed a pilot and it was picked up. At the end of the last week of the first half of the season, my dad, Hiram, was in a car accident. He died.
"Oh, Rachel." He pulled her into a hug.
"I went back to Lima during our break. I had to go back to LA to film the last 12 episodes. I opted to not renew my contract. I couldn't go back to Lima. Jesse got me another role on Broadway, which I took. He and I stared dating. I started back at NYADA part time to work on my voice. When the show ended, I enrolled full time again. I knew my weaknesses by then. I was just being myself on stage with Jesse, which was fine because of the role. But I realized that I imitated other people's interpretation of roles. I didn't know how to become someone else on stage. I've been taking my studies seriously this time around. My dad moved here a year or so ago."
"We need to get back inside. Like you said, you're in charge and I'm sure people are getting close to being done eating at this point."
"Right." She opened her clutch and took out a compact to fix her make up.
He opened the door and closed it back to give her a chance to pull herself together.
After everyone had finished, they were all waiting for someone else to go first. Kurt stood up and looked at Marley, who tapped Roderick on the arm. Sam, Trina, Sebastian, and the girls got up too.
"Well, it seems that the cat has everyone's tongue, so we'll just go first. We all loved the BYU Vocal Point's version of 'Go the Distance', so here's our version." Kurt took Rose's violin and Aliza's drum sticks out put them on the keyboard bench. The adults began to hum.
Sam held the mic for Rose and Aliza as they started.
I have often dreamed of a far-off place.
Where a great warm welcome will be waiting for me.
Where the crowds will cheer when they see my face.
And a voice keeps saying, "This is where I'm meant to be."
Aliza and Rose walked away from the mic. Aliza took her drum sticks and moved to the drums. She stood waiting. Rose picked up her violin.
Kurt took over the lead. The other adults continued to hum.
I'll be there some day. I can go the distance.
I will find my way, if I can be strong.
I know every mile will be worth my while.
When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong.
Kurt continued to sing the lead, but on the second verse, Aliza and Rose joined in on their instruments. Trina played the keyboard and to sing with the other adults.
Down an unknown road to embrace my fate.
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you.
And a thousand years would be worth the wait.
It might take a lifetime, but somehow I'll see it through.
And I won't look back, I can go the distance.
And I'll stay on track, no I won't accept defeat.
It's an uphill slope, but I won't loose hope.
Till I go the distance and my journey is complete.
But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part.
For a hero's strength is measured by his heart.
Trina and the girls stopped playing. Kurt bent one knee and knelt so that the girls could join him as he sang the lead in his upper register on the last part. The other five sang harmony as they ended the song a cappella.
Like a shooting star, I will go the distance.
I will search the world. I will face its harms.
I don't care how far, I can go the distance.
Till I find my hero's welcome waiting in your arms.
Everyone in the room was stunned. Mercedes was the first to whistle and start to clap. When she broke the silence, everyone else joined in.
Aliza and Rose curtsied. Kurt packed their stuff back into the tiny violin case and they went back to their seats.
Brittany got up and moved to their table. "You two are such good singers."
"Thank you," Aliza said. "We love to sing like Daddy and Papa."
"I've never seen such a tiny violin. That was amazing," Santana said.
"I started– When did I start, Daddy?"
"Last summer."
"That was really something," Mercedes said.
Kurt smiled. "Santana and Brittany, these are our daughters – Aliza and Rose."
"You two are adorable," Santana said. "And very talented."
"Thanks," Rose said. "I like your dress."
Santana looked down. "Oh, thanks. I like your overalls. Tinker Bell is awesome."
Aliza said, "We met her. She was at Disneyland in Paris."
Brittany said, "Did she show you how to fly?"
Rose said, "She forgot her return Pixie Dust. She said she hoped one of the other fairies had extra so she could fly home."
Brittany looked appropriately disappointed. "Do you want to come dance with me?"
"Yes!" Rose turned to Sebastian. "Can we, Papa? Can we?"
"Yes, sweetie. Just don't leave this room without me or Daddy or Uncle Sam or Aunt Trina."
"Okay." They said in unison.
They followed Brittany out to the dance floor. She started showing them dance moves even though there was no music. Rachel noticed them and went and turned some music on. Santana, Mike, and Trina went out and joined them. It didn't take long for most everyone else to get up and join them.
Sebastian offered his hand to Kurt. "Dance with me?"
"Always." He stood up and pulled Sebastian up.
They stepped away from the table a little ways. Kurt put his hands on Sebastian's shoulders. Sebastian put his hands on Kurt's waist and leaned forward enough to press their foreheads together.
"Did you get some of your issues worked out with Mercedes and Rachel?"
"I did."
"Anyone else left?"
"Tina, I guess. But I'm not going to seek her out. If she wants to be friends with Blaine that fine. And yes, I saw him over at the table farthest from here sitting with her and her boyfriend, who totally gives off gay vibes. Blaine's not bothering us, so he's keeping his end of the deal. That seems like a lifetime ago. Three years ago."
"He obviously didn't think we'd be here. He came in all upbeat, but when he saw me, his expression changed, but he quickly put his cheerful face back on. He got them to sit at the table on the far end and hasn't gotten up, except to get food."
Kurt kissed Sebastian. "I love you. I love our girls. I love my life. I'm happy."
"Well, I feel the same way. Do you know why I wasn't stressed out about this?"
"Why?"
"Because I have you. Whether any of the people here that are currently not part of my life ever speak to me makes absolutely no difference for the very reasons you just said. I love you. I love our girls. I love my life. Nerves aside, I like being here in New York. It was just a lot with my program starting so quickly. We have our family. We have our friends. I came tonight so you could potentially get some closure. And to be here for you if things went south." He looked towards the dance floor. "Brittany seems to be having a great time with the girls."
"She loves kids."
"After another song, we can head out if you want. Unless there's someone else you want to talk to."
"I promised Mercedes a dance."
"Alright. I'll wait right here with the girls' stuff while you go find her."
Kurt leaned in and kissed him again. "I'll be back."
"Miss Mercedes. I'd like my dance, if you would care to join me." He held out his hand.
She rolled her eyes at his antics and took his hand. He led her out onto the dance floor. "Now, would you like to slow dance or attempt to dance to the beat we've got going here?"
"I want my slow dance, music be damned."
"Got it." He moved into position and began to lead her around the edge of the dance floor. He listened to the beat and moved at half-speed.
"You're a good dancer. I always liked it when we were paired, as infrequently as it happened."
"Me too."
When the song ended, Rachel slid up to their side quickly. "May I cut in?"
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure."
Kurt bowed slightly when he let go of her hand.
She laughed at him and walked back to her table.
Rachel stepped in close and leaned into Kurt. "I need to know one more thing."
Kurt tipped his head down a bit, so she could speak into his ear more naturally.
"Does Sebastian know?"
"No."
Brittany came up to him. "If we're taking turns dancing with Kurt, it's my turn now."
"Sure, Brittany." Rachel stepped aside.
Brittany wrapped her arms around Kurt's neck. A couple of minutes later, Santana made her way over.
"I need a turn." She took Brittany's place.
"Your family is adorable," she said. "Congratulations on getting teaching position here. I finally got around to reading the cards."
"Well, you're a Rockette. That's amazing. And Rachel told me you did six months as Fanny."
"I did it to get seen. Funny Girl is weirdly popular. And it looked great on my CV. I like being a Rockette. I'll get you four tickets when we open in the fall."
"The girls will love that."
"I'll get you a dress from the vault in exchange. I don't know when. Sometime between now and then."
"Thanks."
"We're only here for a year. We're going back to Columbus."
"I figured you'd stay. You always wanted to live here and work on Broadway."
"What I wanted was acceptance. I thought I'd find that here, but it turns out that what I wanted was in Columbus."
"Sebastian."
"Yes. And our girls."
"Who are fucking adorable. You're like the Von Trapp family minus a half-dozen kids."
"The two we have are perfect. There won't be any more."
"I get that."
The music dropped in volume suddenly. Rachel picked up the mic. "It's open mic and karaoke time."
Kurt said, "Go sing something. Get people started before Rachel starts singing Broadway tunes."
Santana rolled her eyes. "Before I do that, I just wanted to thank you for taking me in when I first came here. I know I was a terrible roommate. I'm sorry about that. I ended up losing Dani by still being a mega-bitch. She wouldn't put up with my crap like Brittney and the guys did. I've turned over a new leaf and worked to make myself a decent person. And I owe you an apology or a hundred."
"I'm glad for you. I'm sorry to hear about Dani. She was sweet."
"She was, but she was right. She deserved better. So did you. And you found it. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks."
"I'll go sing something amazing."
"You do that. Sebastian and the girls and I need to get going."
She hugged him. "That didn't happen."
"Of course not." He went back to the table and sat down with Sebastian. "I'm ready when you are."
Sebastian pointed to Marley bringing the girls back. When they got closer to the table, he stood up. He picked up the violin bag. Kurt handed the girls their backpacks and help them get them on.
"Are we leaving, Daddy?" Aliza asked.
"It's getting late and I wanted us to go out to ice cream at my favorite ice cream shop."
Sebastian heard him and smiled.
Both girls clapped their hands.
Rose said, "I love ice cream."
"I'm going to go tell Uncle Sam that we're leaving," Kurt said. "I'll be right out."
Sebastian and the girls waited in the hallway. Kurt joined them a minute later.
"I'd like to see your office," Sebastian said.
"Can we show Papa my office first?"
"Yes!" Rose said. "It has lots of books like a tiny library."
Kurt took Sebastian's hand and interlaced their fingers. He led down one flight of stairs, down a hall, and right down another hall. He stopped and unlocked the door, opened it, and let everyone step inside.
Sebastian looked around and saw the multitude of books in the room. He looked at the spines of some of them.
"I was informed not to touch them by another professor. They're kept in some order that only he knows."
Sebastian chuckled. "It's a nice office, and it has a window." He looked at the girls. "So, ice cream from Daddy's favorite place?"
"Yes. Yes. Yes." Rose said.
"Daddy, do they have banana ice cream?"
"We'll just have to go see, honey."
Kurt hummed as he finished drying off. He hung his towel up, slipped his boxer briefs on, and went into their bedroom. He walked over to their window and pulled the curtains open just enough to stand between them and look out. He felt Sebastian walk up behind him. He wrapped his arms around Kurt and propped his chin on Kurt's shoulder and looked out as well. Kurt switched from humming to singing.
Down an unknown road to embrace my fate.
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you.
He leaned back into Sebastian and turned his head so they could kiss. "I love you."
Kurt turned back and looked out the window again. Sebastian placed gentle kisses along his neck. "I love you."
Kurt ran his fingers along Sebastian's right forearm and stopped where he knew the tattoo was. He ran his finger along the word unconditionally, which was the first tattoo that Sebastian had gotten. Instead of a C and O, it had the infinity symbol. "I used to sing that song when I was younger. It was amazing to sing it with you and the girls tonight. I appreciated Marley letting me take the lead since it's a song that she usually sings the lead on with their band." He moved his fingers to Sebastian's left forearm and ran his fingers down his other tattoo that matched his and said resilient. He felt along the tree trunk that was the brown lowercase L that was in the middle that led up to the branches that had their initials in green tiny scroll letters as leaves. KEHS, AGHS, RAHS, and SMHS.
Sebastian sighed contentedly. He loved when Kurt touched him so gently, like he was precious and valuable.
"I feel that way you know, about you. My path veered way off the course I thought I wanted it take, and it lead me to you." He moved his hand again and ran his thumb and index finger along Sebastian's wedding ring. "You're my home."
"You're mine too, you know."
"I do." He started to sing again.
I'll be there some day. I can go the distance.
I will find my way, if I can be strong.
I know every mile would be worth my while.
When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong.
He turned in Sebastian's arms. "I know we still have a little farther to go, but I already know that we're where we belong. The last of the pieces have fallen into place."
"They have. I'm at Columbia. You have two jobs doing things you love. The girls are in an excellent school. We found someone amazing to watch them. We found this fantastic place in the neighborhood the school is in." He walked them towards the bed without letting go of Kurt. He backed up until his knees hit the edge of the bed and pulled Kurt down on top of him. "Now, you've fallen into place too," he teased.
"Is that so?" Kurt kissed up his neck, tickling him just the way he liked.
He squirmed and laughed. "It is. It definitely is."